Time-stamp



(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. E. EMERSON.

TIME STAMP. No. 550,678. Patented Dec; 3, 1895.

. ammo/who? E man/9,20%

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

a, E. EMERSON.

TIME STAMP.

No. 550,678. Patented Dec. 3', 1895.

n. II II III III III(III III I IA 1 II llllllllllllllllll V 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA "ll ANDREW BLRMAM. PHUTO-i-RHO.WA6HINOWN.D.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. EMERSON, OF NEWARK, NElV JERSEY.

TIME-STAN? P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,678, dated December 3, 1895.

Application filed July 27,1895. Serial No! 557,382. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. EMERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time Stamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The objects of this invention are to provide a time-stamp that can be very readily and conveniently handled because of its small size and compact arrangements; one that can be practically employed upon a desk or table as a paper-weight and oflice-clock; to simplify the construction; to facilitate the manufacture and thereby materially reduce the cost of construction, and to secure more specifie objects, some of which will be referred to hereinafter in connection with the description of the working parts.

The invention consists in the improved automatic time-stamp and in the arrangements and combinations of the parts of the same, all substantially as will be hereinafter set forth and finally embraced in the clauses of the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters and numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved article complete, showing the clockdial forward. Fi 2 is an end elevation of the same, showing the time stamping or printing mechanisms forward. Fig. 3 is a plan of an impression given by said time-stamp. Fig. 4 is a detail showing an adjustable type-carrier adapted more particularly tocarry the letters .A P for use in printing the letters A. M. and P. M. as will be understood upon reference to the imprint of Fig. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the interior mechanisms and the relation of various parts to one another clearly; and Figs. 6 and 7 are sections of the same, taken on lines or and g respectively.

In said drawings, a indicates a clock having a center Winding-post b, a spring 0, and suitable mechanisms of any kind desirable, such as have been heretofore provided or may be provided for transmitting power to the minute-hand (Z and hour-hand e of the clock.

I prefer to employ a clock having the spring 0 set in a case J", having a diaphragm f, forming a chamber f with the bottom of said case. 111 said chamber f is fastened an annular interiorly-toothed plate 7". At the center of the case is arranged the windingpost g, having an eccentric arm g lying in the chamber f, on which arm is pivoted at h a traveling cog-Wheel i, which meshes with the interiorly-toothed plate f so that as the said cog-wheel 1' is turned with the arm g in winding the clock it is also caused to revolve 011 its pivot h. Upon a reduced portion 6 of the center shaft 1) is a spur wheel or pinion and ratchet-wheel 7c, the first receiving its motion from the traveling cog-wheel 2' and the second co-operating with a pawl 7e upon the cog-wheel l to transmit power to the latter. The said cog-wheel 1 is arranged on the center shaft 1) and meshes with a pinion m, and thus transmits power through a train of gearings a 0 p q r to an ordinary escapement, (not shown, but such as is common in clocks.

From the shaft Z), which carries the minutehand (1, the power is transmitted through the train of cogs and pinions s t a Q; to the hourhand 6 in any suitable manner.

The construction of the clockwork is old and to some extent common and a more exact and detailed description of the parts and method of operating the same are deemed unnecessary, there being no feature of novelty therein, excepting in the fact that the ordinary finger piece heretofore employed in turning the winding-arbor g is dispensed with, and in lieu thereof I employ a ratchetwheel 10, which is screwed upon the threaded end of said winding-arbor g and acts in connection with a pawl or pawls 2, fastened to a ring 3, arranged around the outside of the outer cases or shells, Figs. 1, 5, and G. The said pawl is provided with an outwardly-extending finger-piece at and with a spring 5, the first serving to admit of the pawl being pushed into engagement with the ratchetwheel w when it is desired to operate the winding-arbor, and the spring 5 serving to latter will wind more easily and the wear upon the bearings will be more uniform.

To the back plate 500 of the ordinary clockcase 501 is fastened by means of solder, screws, or other means a foundation ring or plate 6, upon which the posts 7 and other portions of the frame of the stamp mechanism are built. Said ring is somewhat smaller in diameter than the said back plate 500 and forms a shoulder at the periphery, on which the pawlcarrying ring has one of it bearings. Said ring 3 is held upon said shoulder by means of a shell or case portion 9, the inner edge of which rests upon a shoulder 10, formed on the inner side of the pawl-carrying ring 3. Upon the posts 7 is secured a plate 11, which provides bearings for the setting devices and for certain wheels by means of which the movement is transmitted to the time-indicating hands of the stamping devices. Upon said plate 11 are also arranged posts 12, which. carry a plate 13. This last serves as a backing for the printing appliances, taking the pressure therefrom, as will be hereinafter described.

To the center shaft or setting-arborb,which heretofore at its rearward end received the finger-piece which served in setting the hands, is applied a crown-wheel 14, Figs. 5 and 7, the shank or hub of which is tubular and slotted, as at 15, and extends over the end of said stem 1) and engages certain pins or lugs 16 upon said shaft 1), the said pins or lugs extending into the slots, so that there can be no independent rotation of the crown-wheel on said center shaft. To the plate 11, at one side thereof, is fastened a supplemental plate 17, each of said plates being grooved coincidingly to form a box and receive a settingshaft or stem 18, which lies radially with respect to the center of the devices, the outer end being provided with a finger-piece 19 and the inner opposite end with a cog-wheel 20. The said stem or shaft 18 slides in its bearings and is thus adapted to carry the cogwheel into and from engagement with the cogs or teeth of the crown-wheel 14.

A spring-actuated pushing-arm 21, Fig. 7, is pivoted at 22, 23 being the spring which tends to hold the free extremity of said arm against the side of the cog-wheel 20 to push the same into meshing engagement with the teeth of the crown-wheel. Around the outside of the parts just described is arranged the shell or inclosing cover 9, having at a suitable point in its periphery an opening 25, Fig. 7, of about the diameter of the finger-piece 19. By turning the shell and bringing said opening into coincidence with the said fingerpiece the pushing-arm 21 is allowed to act to throw the setting stem or shaft longitudinally in its bearings and the finger-piece through the said opening, as indicated in outline at 26, so that said finger-piece is brought to a position at which it can be readily and conveniently turned by the hand in setting the several time-indicating hands of the clock and printing-dials. By re-pressin g the said fingerpiece against the pushing-pawl 21 and spring 23 and turning the shell 9 the latter covers the finger-piece and holds the cog-wheel 20 out of engagement with the crown-wheel, and the opening 25 is brought into coincidence witha locking-knob or finger-piece 27, arranged on a shaft 28, also having its bearings between the said plates 11 17. A spring 29 serves to throw the said knob 27 outward when the opening is brought into coincidence therewith, so that the said knob enters said opening and thus locks the parts and prevents further turning until repressed by the finger.

The shell 9 is limited in its opposite movements by a limiting-lug 30 at the inside of said shell and extending into a slot or recess 31, formed in the periphery or edge of the plate 11, the parts being so adjusted as that, when the shell is at the limit of its movement in one direction,the opening 25 will be brought into the desired coincidence with the fingerpiece 19 and in the opposite direction with the locking-knob 27, as will be understood.

At the center of the plate 11 is arranged a tubular arbor 32, having on the under side of the plate 11 an end plate 33, Fig. 5. Said arbor is adapted to turn within said plate 11 and give movement to the pinion 34, fastened thereon, and transmit said movement to the cog-wheel 40. At the center of said end plate 33 is formed a square or angular hole through which the square end 35 of the shank 36 of the minute-indicatingdisk plate 37 extends and is held in proper relation thereto by a spring collar or clamp 38, which lies in a recess in said square end 35, Fig. 5. The said square end 35 also extends downward and enters a square hole in the center of the crownwheel 14, so that the parts 35 14 will turn together and in unison. Thus, in a sense, the shank 36 supplements or becomes a continuation of the center shaft 1) of the clockwork, the parts 36 and Z) moving simultaneously and effecting a rotation of the minute-hand on the dial of the watch and of the minute-stamp ing die 39, extending up from the minute-disk plate 37. The pinion 34, turning with the hollow spindle 32, meshes with a cog-wheel 40, having a pinion 41, and this last in turn meshes with a cog-wheel 42, disposed axially upon the said hollow spindle 32. The hub 43 of the wheel 42 is provided with lugs or arms 44 and these are adapted to receive the slotted hub 45 of the hour-disk plate 46, having the hour-indicating stamping projection 47. The hour-disk 46 lies in a countersink or central recess of the plate 13, the under side of said disk bearing on said plate when IIO the force of impression is applied. Overlapping this hour-disk plate i6 is the minutedisk' plate 37, the impression-pressure of the latter being brought to bear on said hourdisk plate and through the same upon the plate 1-3. Upon the minute-disk the stamp ing projection type or die 39 is secured, the same being formed of rubber or other suit able material adapted to take the ink and deliver the same to the paper to be printed in any suitable and ordinary manner.

The shell 9 is made of two diameters, the larger portion being adapted to nicely fit over the plate 11 and the smaller portion being adapted to lie against the periphery of the smaller plate 13, the upper edge of the smaller part projecting slightly above the upper face of said plate 13, so as to protect the rink-like impression-die etS, upon which is formed the hour marks or type, the name of a company, party, or thing to be advertised by the stamp, or any other suitable lettering desired. The outer side of said reduced portion of the shell 9 provides a frictional bearing for a ring 49, which is also bent so as to have a part 49 of larger diameter. This part 49 forms with the upwardly-extending portion of the shell 9 an annular groove or receptacle 50 for changeable type 51. In said groove are arranged the type which give the year, month, and day,and such words as Answered, Filed, Received, Delivered, or any other word that circumstances or conditions may render it desirable to have inserted therein. Vithin this groove or receptacle 50 are also arranged partitions 52, Fig. 2, which subdivide the annular chamberand form subdivisions for said movable type, and at one side of the time indicating dial in one of said subdivisions is permanently inserted the letter M. 011 the opposite side is an adjustable carrier 53, (shown in Figs. 4c and 5 more clearly,) which is pivoted at 53 to the ring 49 and is provided with a bent carrying-plate 53, Fig. at, on which the dies or stamping-type 54c 54: are secured. These dies have the letters A and P, which are adapted to be brought alternatingly into the plane of the printing-dies by means of the finger-piece 55, which extends downwardly or outwardly and through a slot or opening in the ring 40, as shown in Fig. 5. By simply pressing the finger-piece laterally in one direction or the other either of the letters A or P is brought into the desired plane, so that the stamp will present to view either A. M. or P. M, as may be desired.

Over the parts just described is arranged an inking-cap and protector 56, the inner end of which coincides with or is adapted to enter into frictional contact with the larger part of the shell, and the inside of the outer end provides bearings for an inkingpad 57, Fig. 5. This pad comprises a plate or disk 58, having absorbent material 59, adapted to receive the ink and transmit it to the type or dies. The said plate is fastened to a shank by means of a screw 61 or other suitable means, which shank is adapted to slide in bearings of the cap formed by perforating the latter at its center. Outside of the cap the shank 60 is provided with a finger-piece 62, and on the inside it receives the screw (5]., which connects the plate 58 therewith. The screw also fastens to the shank a spring 63, having four arms, more or less, which extend to or nearly to the periphery of the cap and enter suitable recesses or receptacles 64:, formed by a flange 65, fastened within the cap. By pressing the finger-piece 62 inwardly against the power of the spring 63 the ink ing-pad is brought into engagement with the type to supply the same with ink. ByrelaX- ing the pressure the spring 63 serves to with draw the inking-pad and to hold it normally away from the type.

In operating the device the spring 0 is first wound up by pressing the pawls 2 inward against the ratchet-wheel w and then turning the pawl-carrying ring, the movement being a limited one and the motion reciprocatory oscillations. The pawl 2 forces the ratchet-wheel w forward when oscillating in one direction and slides over the teeth of the wheel in returning. The spring being wound up, its power is transmitted to the center shaft 7) by means of the winding-post g, eccentric arm g, wheel 1', traveling over the interior teeth of the ring f and meshing with the pinion j on the said shaft 6. Motion is transmitted from thence to the hour and minute indicating l1 ands d e and other mechanical elements of the clock in the ordinary manner, as described, or in any other common in the clockmakers art. From the center shaft Z) the power is transmitted to the stamping devices through the supplemental arbor 36, which moves in unison with the shaft 1), so that the time-indicating devices at opposite ends of the device correspond constantly.

To set the hands d e 39 47 it is only necessary to remove the cap 56 and turn the shell 9', so that the setting-stem 18 springs outward through the opening 25, and to turn the fingerpiece 19, when the operations already described are occasioned. The clock hands d 6, being inclosed by a glass front piece, cannot be disturbed or interfered with when the clock end of the device is used as a hand-piece and the impressing force is brought to bear thereon.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is- 1. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock, of a time stamping mechanism, the time stamping disks or type of which face in a direction opposite that of the dial and hands of the clock, the said dial and hands being in closed by a glass plate and protected thereby, the dial end of the clock being employed as a handle in making time impressions and the said glass plate receiving the stamping pressure, the time stamping members having their bearings upon a supplemental frame work built upon the back of the clock, said frame IIO work providing bearings for setting and winding mechanisms, and said setting and winding mechanisms, all said parts being arranged and operating substantially as set forth.

2. I11 a time stamp, the combination with a clock, of a stamping mechanism attached to the back of said clock, a pawl carrying ring arranged around the case of said clock and a ratchet wheel connected with the wind ing arbor or shaft of said clock, the pawl of the said ring being adapted to be pressed into engagement with said ratchet wheel and reciprocated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock, having the ordinary case, clock spring, and time indicating devices, of a stamping mechanism adapted to operate simultaneously with said clock devices under the power of the clock spring, of a pawl carrying winding ring, arranged around said case, the finger portions of which extend laterally outward and the pawl tooth inward to engage the ratchet, and said ratchet wheel connected with the winding arbor of the clock, substantially as set forth.

1. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock, of a stamping mechanism in train with the clock mechanism and covered by a perforated shell or cover adapted to be turned axially with respect to the clock case, of a crown wheel in connection with the hand shaft of the clock and a setting shaft having at its inner end, a cog wheel adapted to engage the crown wheel, the said cog wheel being held out of engagement with the crown wheel by said shell or cover, substantially as set forth.

5. In a time stamp, the combination with the clock having the center shaft or arbor, b, with pins or lugs, 16, and carrying the min ute hand, cl, and a spring for operating said shaft or arbor, of a crown wheel having a slotted arbor or hub adapted to receive said pins or lugs and having an angular hole to receive the shank or shaft 36, a cog wheel or pinion, 20, shaft, 18, and finger piece, 19, said shaft 36, carrying type, 39, substantially as set forth.

6. In a time stamp, the combination with the clock having the center shaft or arbor, b, carrying the minute hand cl and a spring for operating said shaft, of a crown wheel arranged in connection with said shaft and having a center hole to receive the shank of the minute indicating type carrier, means for turning said crown wheel and a minute type carrier having a shank extending into a hole of the crown wheel, substantially as set forth.

'7. In a time stamp, the combination with the clock having a spring controlled center arbor, b, and ratchet wheel 10, and stamping mechanisms, of the winding ring, 3, oppositely disposed spring actuated pawls 2, having finger extensions 4;, adapted to be compressed to bring the pawls into engagement with the ratchet wheel.

8. In a time stamp, the combination with the clock having a spring controlled center arbor b, ratchet wheel w, and stamping mechanisms movable under the power of said spring, of the reciprocating spring actuated pawls, 2, having finger extensions, 4, substantially as set forth.

9. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock having the back plate 500, and winding arbor, g, and setting arbor, 1), extending outward therethrough to receive cooperating winding and setting means, a frame consisting of posts 7 and 12 and plates 6, 11 and 13, built upon said back plate, fixed type including the hour indicating marks secured upon said plate, 13, rotary index fingers or hands suited to produce a printed impression, supported by said plates, trains of gearing in connection with the setting arbor b, and said rotary index fingers or hands, a shell 9, inclosing said frame and gearing, and setting and winding means having finger pieces adapted to extend laterally beyond said shell to admit of operation, substantially as set forth.

10. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock having an inclosed dial and hands (Z, c, at one end and a back plate 500, at the other and having a winding arbor and setting arbor 1), extending, outward through said back plate from the operating works of said clock, to receive cooperating winding and setting means, a frame having plates 11 and 13 built upon said back plate, fixed type i11- cluding the hour marks or type secured upon said plate 13, rotary stamping fingers or hands supported by said plates, trains of gearing in connection with the setting arbor Z), and said rotary stamping fingers or hands, a shell 9, inclosing said frame and gearing, setting and winding mechanisms in connection with said setting and winding arbors, an inclosin g shell 9, a ring 49, forming with the shell a chamber 50, and stamping type arranged in said chamber, all said parts being arranged and adapted to operate substantially as set forth.

11. In a time stamp, the combination with a clock having an inclosed dial and hands (1, c, at one end and at the other a back plate 500, and also having winding and setting arbors arranged at the center thereof, cooperating winding and setting means adapted to be operated from the outside of the stamp, a frame built upon said back plate and carrying hour stamping type and rotary index hands which lie in a plane with the hour stamping type and are also capable of producing a printed impression, a train of gearing in connection with said winding and setting arbors and said rotary index hands, a shell 9, a ring 49 formin g with said shell a chamber, 50, and an oscillating plate 53, arranged in said chamber and carrying type, as A and P, and adapted to bring the same alternately into the printing or stamping plane of the other type, substan tially as set forth.

12. In a time stamp, the combination of a clock, rotary and fixed stamping type arranged on the back of said clock, a cover inclosing and protecting said type, a pad arranged Within said cover and movable to and from the type, and a finger piece having bearings in said cover and connected With said pad, to enable the latter to be pressed against the type, substantially as set forth.

13. In a time stamp, the combination of a clock, rotary and fixed stamping type arranged 011 the back of said clock, a cover inclosing and protecting said type, a pad 59, backed by a plate 58, a spring 63, and a finger piece 62, all arranged and operating substantially as set forth.

ll. In a time stamp, the combination of a clock, rotary and fixed stamping type arranged on the back of said clock, the rotary type being in train with the Works of said clock, a cover inclosing and protecting said type and having an interior flange 65, receiving a spring 63, a pad plate 58, carrying absorbent inking material 59, and a finger piece having bearings in the cover, and connected to said spring and plate, substantially as set forth.

15. In a time stamp, the combination With the clock having a Winding arbor, and coopcrating mechanisms, of a Winding ring arranged around the case of the clock and carrying paWls 2, a ratchet Wheel arranged 011 said clock in connection With said arbor, and springs holding said 'pawls normally away from said ratchet Wheel, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of July, 1895.

GEORGE E. EMERSON.

itnesses OLIVER DRAKE, CHARLES H. PELL. 

